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Best cold air intake...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Has anyone swapped in an LS3/7 air intake to an LS2? From what I read the LS3/7 air intakes are nowhere near as restrictive as the LS2 and could offer similar performance as an aftermarket unit. That combined with a propped/cut shroud may be a good idea and could probably be had for cheaper than even a used aftermarket CAI.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,203
Likes: 104
From: Short Hills, NJ
And cleaning the air filter more often? Hmm, let's see,
more dirt/dust finding it's way on to one's air filter, what could that possibly mean? 
Maybe that the intake/filter (and subsequently, THE MOTOR) are also receiving more cold air?!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 81
From: Tumwater, WA
I know with my last car, when people were buying so called CAIs which were actually filters on a stick, even tho they might be placed in a different location, were seeing some gains in HP. Now we found out that the gains were actually from the new intake having a slightly larger MAF section which caused the car to run a little leaner which account for the gains and not really it being a so called CAI.
Now are these after market intakes for the vettes doing the same thing or is the MAF section the same size?
Also our stock intakes pull air in from the outside right? I havent really examined it yet as Im still zooming away with the new car.
Now are these after market intakes for the vettes doing the same thing or is the MAF section the same size?
Also our stock intakes pull air in from the outside right? I havent really examined it yet as Im still zooming away with the new car.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,790
Likes: 29
From: STL MO
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I would agree with you, I had to get a tune for my cai to actually work properly (when the engine goes lean with stock tune it just dumps fuel to compensate when @ WOT)
So aftermarket intakes will make more power on an LS2, the factory intake is not very good (both air intake and intake manifold) but you still have to tune any system you end up purchasing.
Now unless you are getting a system that can pull air from outside the engine compartment your just getting a really expensive air filter and tube IMO that will increase power with a tune as it has the ability to pull in more air than the stock setup due to a larger and better air filter but a true cai is the only thing I would spend any money on.
So aftermarket intakes will make more power on an LS2, the factory intake is not very good (both air intake and intake manifold) but you still have to tune any system you end up purchasing.
Now unless you are getting a system that can pull air from outside the engine compartment your just getting a really expensive air filter and tube IMO that will increase power with a tune as it has the ability to pull in more air than the stock setup due to a larger and better air filter but a true cai is the only thing I would spend any money on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 81
From: Tumwater, WA
Isnt the stock intake a true CAI? Again I havent been under the car to see if the intake, that looks to be a closed intake, is getting its air from outside the engine. What Im wondering is how much air is a stock vette asking for at WOT? And does the stock intake allow it to get that much air? In my last two cars I just put in a good high flow filter as the intakes were IMO CAIs to begin with. An intake that has a slightly larger MAF section will gain some power but by going lean and Ive heard of some cel faults on cars that did intake and full exhaust and ran too lean and got cels.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 81
From: Tumwater, WA
where is the stock intake gettings its air from? Outside air being rammed in from the front area or inside the engine? Cuz the intake goes all the way to the front and looks like its getting the air from the front being rammed in. I guess I need to take a good close look. Is there a scoop that directs the air to the intake?
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,717
From: Springfield MO
where is the stock intake gettings its air from? Outside air being rammed in from the front area or inside the engine? Cuz the intake goes all the way to the front and looks like its getting the air from the front being rammed in. I guess I need to take a good close look. Is there a scoop that directs the air to the intake?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 8
From: Jersey Strong NY/NJ
I think we all have established that the LS2 lacks a good intake/ breathing system, and getting some outside air directly fed to the stock filter assembly or an aftermarket unit of your choice will be a big healthy improvement for the engine and HP gain. With that said you can remove the stock air intake in 5 minutes cut the shroud install a vette air and any aftermarket or your stock intake and go from there. This can all be done cheaply and quickly, also keep in mind a new shroud cost 45$ to replace if you ever wanted to go back to stock. I did mine last week in about 2-3 hrs only cause I replaced my shroud with a precut one. If I did it all over again I would cut it right on the car! SO much easier! The shroud is a PITA to remove and then put back in again.
I'm more curious now as to some of the convo I have been hearing about swapping to the Z06 air intake on a LS2 is this doable? And what else would I have to change or watch out for?
I'm more curious now as to some of the convo I have been hearing about swapping to the Z06 air intake on a LS2 is this doable? And what else would I have to change or watch out for?
Last edited by studiovette; Dec 6, 2010 at 09:25 AM.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
From: Diamondhead Mississippi
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 8
From: Jersey Strong NY/NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Depends on when and where you're driving the car. If you see below freezing temps during the winter months, and drive your C6 often during that season, it may take longer for the engine to come up to operating temperature. This is especially an issue if you're only taking short trips with the car. For those that live in warmer climates it's not an issue. I even know people who swap out 160/180/stock t-stats depending on the season.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 42
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth The Republic of TEXAS
I've had two of them and the build quality was not even average on either of them. They have to repositioned on a regular basis and don't fit for %^&#! As far as the "cold air" if you log your actual temps while driving there isn't much difference between the two different setups once you are moving. If you don't mind cleaning your filter 3-5 times a year and jacking with the system from time to time, and maybe having to use tape to hold it then please by all means buy the Vararam.
I'd rather not screw with my car all the time but to each his own
I'd rather not screw with my car all the time but to each his own
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 27,203
Likes: 104
From: Short Hills, NJ
Once again, what the heck does a dirty air filter have to do with anything?
Is buying a performance part more about looking good at the local car show or is it about doing the job that it's designed to do?
More outside (and colder) air hitting a panel is going to generate a little more dirt/dust, yes.
I'm surprised more people aren't seeing that, it's very simple logic actually.
Is buying a performance part more about looking good at the local car show or is it about doing the job that it's designed to do?
More outside (and colder) air hitting a panel is going to generate a little more dirt/dust, yes.
I'm surprised more people aren't seeing that, it's very simple logic actually.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 5
From: Tampa FL
It's funny because I've read a lot of comments like this but then also read that the performance is great and the issues people complain about aren't as bad as they're made out to be.
Has anyone swapped in an LS3/7 air intake to an LS2? From what I read the LS3/7 air intakes are nowhere near as restrictive as the LS2 and could offer similar performance as an aftermarket unit. That combined with a propped/cut shroud may be a good idea and could probably be had for cheaper than even a used aftermarket CAI.
Has anyone swapped in an LS3/7 air intake to an LS2? From what I read the LS3/7 air intakes are nowhere near as restrictive as the LS2 and could offer similar performance as an aftermarket unit. That combined with a propped/cut shroud may be a good idea and could probably be had for cheaper than even a used aftermarket CAI.
Last edited by goatts; Dec 12, 2010 at 06:50 PM.
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0